129913: Should Maghrib prayer be given precedence over food or should food be given precedence over prayer?

How should the Muslim break his fast? Because many people are distracted by eating until the time for Maghrib prayer ends, and if you ask them they tell you: There is no prayer in the presence of food. Is it permissible to quote these words as evidence, because the time for Maghrib is short? Now what should I do? Should I break my fast with some dates and then pray Maghrib and after that finish eating, or should I finish eating completely and then pray Maghrib?.

Praise be to Allaah.

The Sunnah is for the fasting person to hasten to break the
fast as soon as he is certain that the sun has set, because of the
hadeeths “The people will continue to be fine so long as they hasten to
break the fast” and “The most beloved of the slaves of Allah to Allah are
those who are quickest to break the fast.” The best way for the one who is
fasting is to break his fast with a few dates, then delay eating until
after Maghrib prayer, so that he may combine the Sunnah of hastening to
break the fast and praying Maghrib at the beginning of its time, in
congregation, following the example of the Prophet (blessings and peace of
Allah be upon him).

With regard to the hadeeths, “There is no prayer in the
presence of food or when resisting the urge to relieve oneself” and “If
‘Isha’ and dinner come at the same time, start with dinner,” and similar
reports, what is meant is if a person is offered food or if he comes to eat,
then he should start with the food before praying, so that he can pray
without his mind being focused on the food and his prayer then will be
offered with proper focus and humility. But he should not ask for food to be
brought before praying if that means that he will miss out on offering the
prayer at the beginning of its time or praying in congregation.

And Allah is the source of strength; may Allah send blessings
and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and Companions. End
quote.